ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Former President Jimmy Carter took a swipe at rapper Kanye West's behavior at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, saying it was "completely uncalled for" and his punishment was to appear on the new Jay Leno show."

The hip-hop artist jumped onstage and took the microphone from country singer Taylor Swift during her would-be acceptance speech for Best Female Video. West declared that singer Beyonce Knowles should have won.

On Monday, West appeared on the debut of Leno's prime-time show and said he knew his actions were wrong. Swift said on Tuesday that West had called her directly and apologized.

Carter's comments came during his 28th annual town hall meeting at Emory University, where he has been a professor since 1982.